2013 - Scottsboro Wildcats

After playing quarterback at Auburn, new Scottsboro coach Patrick Nix is a familiar name in the state of Alabama.

Photo by
Associated Press/Times Free Press.

Scottsboro Wildcats

Coach: Patrick Nix (first head coaching position)

Last year: 2-8, losing the first six games of the season before back-to-back wins and then ending the season with consecutive blowout losses. That disappointment resulted in a coaching change.

'13 dreams: A large group of athletic juniors and sophomores, combined with an energetic new coach, has hopes soaring for the program. Although he's making his head coaching debut, Coach Nix has known success in the college ranks for 10 years, including as the offensive coordinator at Georgia Tech and Miami (Fla.). The return of senior quarterback Trey Lewis, as well as seniors Collin Warren at running back and Heath Seymour at receiver, has Nix excited about the potential.

13-for-13 contenders: Lewis (6-foot-1, 200) is a dual threat at quarterback and was the team's second-leading rusher last season. He's joined by Warren (5-8, 170) and Seymour (6-0, 190), who can play both running back and receiver positions and give the Wildcats the ability to show multiple formations. Defensively, senior linemen Chance Ramey (6-1, 250) and Ishmael Bibbs (5-11, 240) will anchor that side of the ball and junior Jordan Whitehead (6-0, 205) has big-play potential.

Number of interest: 5. The number of seasons it's been since the Wildcats finished with a winning record. Scottsboro hasn't won more than two games in a single season since 2008, and its last winning record (6-5 overall) came in 2007.

13 years ago: The Wildcats' offense clicked well, scoring 30-plus points seven times and 40-plus four times, in reaching the Alabama Class 5A playoffs before losing a close one to Anniston and finishing 8-3.